Shipping container



Dec. 23, 11969 A. GREENE ET AL SHIPPING CONTAINER I v 4 Sheds-Sheet iFiled Jan. 5. 1968 INVENTORS Abbo'l' Greene Paul Densen ATTORNEY Bed.23, 1969 E E ET AL 3,485,435

SHIPPING CONTAINER Filed Jan. 5. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 23, 1969 A.GREENE ET AL 3,485,435

SHIPPING CONTAINER Filed Jan. 5, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.I6

. 2 L ii United States Patent US. Cl. 229--40 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A shipping carton for a book, or the like, comprising anopen-ended sleeve formed of a pair of rectangular panels adapted to bespaced one from the other in paral lel relation to accommodate the book,or the like, therebetween, rectangular flexible webs interconnected withsaid panels to define the sleeve with the panels, the webs having acertain number of folds to provide strips which make a hinged connectionwith the juxtaposed panels, the folds being arranged to move inwardly asthe panels are moved toward one another for collapsing the webs, and theedges opposite the webs having flap means adapted to close off the openends of the sleeve and confine the book within the carton.

This invention relates to paperboard containers and more particularly toan improved carton constructed from a single integral blank which isespecially suitable for mailing articles, such as books.

vBriefly, it is an object of the invention to provide a carton which canbe assembled from an economical paperboard blank for adequate protectionfor the packaged book during mailing and handling of the carton to avoidhaving the corners and edges of the book distorted and mutilated duringshipment.

A further object is to provide a carton which can be manufactured bymeans of high speed production methods.

Still another object is to provide a carton which can accommodatearticles such as books which vary in thickness, size and shape.

A further object is to provide a carton which would not be destroyed inopening it and is capable of repeated use, such as for the return of thegoods, or book, by the purchaser. In many cartons heretofore used, theconstruction did not permit the carton to be readily opened withoutmutilation or destruction so as to permit the carton to be re-sealedeasily. It is therefore, an object to provide a carton which could beeasily opened and re-sealed so that it could be re-mailed in order toreturn the goods, if desired.

An object of the invention is to provide a carton for theshipment ofbooks or like articles, comprising a sleeve of rectangular cross-sectionhaving a pair of opposite side walls normally open and adapted to beclosed for shipment of the goods and opposite end walls, or webs,adapted to be collapsed toward the packaged goods, said end wallsfunctioning generally to center the goods in the package when socollapsed and providing cushioning means for protecting the goods duringshipment of same.

A further object is to provide a carton having the opposite side and endwalls, or webs, somewhat expandable one relative to the other to permitsome variation in the thickness of the carton.

Another object is to provide a carton formed from a pre-formed integralblank of paperboard, or the like, which is adapted to be folded so thatthe opposite end walls are closed and the opposite side walls are openin order to permit the carton to remain in a flat condition for storagepurposes and shipment before use and which 3,485,435 Patented Dec. 23,1969 ice can be erected easily and rapidly for inserting the goodstherein and sealing the carton thereafter for mailing.

A further object is to provide a carton which is economical tomanufacture and use, and which is sufficiently strong, compact and easyto handle and prevents the goods from shifting about during shipment andmailing and centers the goods in the carton, and which also permits easyaccess into the carton f r packaging and removal of the goods.

Still another object is to provide a c: rton which is not liable toaccidental opening and has cor siderable strength to the carton atportions thereof where the goods within the carton is apt to be damaged.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following: detailed description and accompanying drawings, inWI ich FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the carton embodying theinvention fully assembled and sealed with a book, for example, packagedtherein;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the carton in a partial condition ofassembly with the side walls thereof open;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing a book in the process ofbeing inserted into the partially assembled carton;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken through the carton along the line 4-4of FIGURE 1 and in the direction indicated generally;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE1 and in the direction indicated generally;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the integral blank from which the carton ofFIGURE 1 is assembled;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the integral blank from which the carton ofFIGURE 1 is assembled in folded over and flattened out condition bycollapsing the end Walls along certain fold lines with the left andright ends adhesively secured together with a tape;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified form of a modifiedform of an integral blank for assembling a modified form of cartonembodying the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken vertically through themodification of the carton of FIG- URE 8 to illustrate the resultingalternative collapsible end wall structure thereof and showing one formof attaching the end strip to the panel;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken vertically through themodification of the carton of FIG- URE 8 showing another way of adheringthe end strip o the panel;

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of a modified form of an integral blank fromwhich the carton of FIGURE 14 is assembled;

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of the integral blank from which the carton ofFIGURE 14 is assembled shown in folded over and in flattened outcondition by collapsing the end walls along certain fold lines with theleft and right sides adhesively securedtogether with a tape.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the carton shown in FIGURE 14 showing abook in the process of being inserted into the partially assembledcarton;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a carton embodying a modified form ofthe invention fully assembled and sealed with a book, for example,packaged therein;

FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken through the carton along line 15-15of FIGURE 14 and in the direction indicated;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 16-16 ofFIGURE 14 and in the direction indicated;

FIGURE 17 is a plan view of a modified form of an integral blank of thecarton of FIGURES 11 to 16, inclusive, from which the carton of FIGURES18 and 19 is assembled;

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken vertically through themodification of the carton of FIG- URE 17 to illustrate the resultingalternative collapsible end wall structure thereof and showing one formof attaching the end strip to the panel; and

FIGURE 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken vertically through themodification of the carton of FIGURE 17 showing another ways of adheringthe end strip to the panel.

Referring to the drawings, numeral represents a carton completelyassembled and sealed with the goods therein. The goods may be a book 11,for example, as seen being inserted in the carton in FIGURE 3. Thecarton 10 is comprised of a rectangular sleeve formed of a suitablepaperboard material having a pair of parallel walls 14 and 16 formingthe top and bottom walls of the carton, respectively, opposite endwalls, such as the end wall 18 and the opposite side walls 19. Each ofthe end walls 18 is recessed or offset inwardly relative to the corners20 of the sleeve and are hingedly connected to the walls 14 and 16 alongsaid corners 20 so as to permit collapse of the carton into an end wallstructure that may be characterized as an angular pleat. The folder canbe assembled to a preliminary stage wherein at least one of the sidewalls is open to permit insertion of the goods, such as book 11, betweenthe end walls 18 into the folder and the folder sealed thereafter. I herecessed or inwardly offset end walls 18 engage the goods or book 11with said goods protected by the outwardly protruding corners 20 of thesleeve during mailing or shipment of the package 10.

Referring to FIGURE 6, the carton 10 preferably can be assembled from asimple, integral sheet or blank 24 of paperboard material such ascorrugated board, pressed board or the like which may be stamped ordie-cut advantageously from a continuous web of sheet material passed athigh speed through automatic punch press equipment. Blank 24 iscomprised of a pair of rectangular panels 26 and 28 of substantiallyidentical size. The panels 26 and 28 are conjoined end to end by an endwall formation 30 which is crossed by a parallel fold at 38 andtherefore is comprised of two strips 32 and 34 connected side by side.The strips 32 and 34 are substantially identical in width. Each strip 32and 34 is hingedly connected to a panel 26 and 28 respectively along thefold line 40. Considering the length of the blank 24 to be from left toright in FIGURE 6, the width of wall portion 30 is slightly less thanthe width of a panel 26 or 28. Each panel 26 and 28 is notched at thecorner 42 thereof adjacent the connection of said panel with the endwall formation 30.

The panel 26 has an end flap 44 hingedly connected thereto along thefold line 46 and has a transverse score line 48 entirely across the samedividing the end flap into a pair of strips 50 and 52. Dimension-wise,strip 50 and 52 is identical to strip 32 and 34. Panel 26 has itsopposite corners 42 notched in the same manner as described for corners42.

Each panel 26 and 28 also has a pair of side flaps 54 and 56respectively hinged along opposite longitudinal edges 58 thereof, saidside flaps each being equal in Width to each other and approximatelyequal to the width of strips 32, 34, 50 and 52. The side flaps extendsubstantially continuously between opposite notched corners 42 and 42and the outer end of panel 28.

The carton 10 is represented in two stages of assembly thereof inFIGURES 2 and 3 respectively, each stage of assembly being accomplishedby selective folding of the blank 24 and securing certain portionsthereof together, as will be hereinafter explained. Initially, the blankof FIGURE 6 is folded transversely along a fold line 40, for instance,to superimpose the panels 26 and 28 one over the other and to bring theouter end 53 of end flap 44 together in close proximity with the outerend 55 of panel 28. Thus, panel 26 becomes the bottom wall 16 and panel28 becomes the top wall 14 of the carton. The strip 52 of the end flap44 then can be adhesively secured together with the outer end 55 ofpanel 28 preferably by a paper or fabric tape 57 shown in FIGURE 7 tobecome one of the end walls 18 of the carton 10. The end wall portion 30comprising strips 32, 34 becomes the opposite end wall 18 of the cartonand is identical in proportions to the end wall formed by conjoined endwall 18. The flaps 54 and 56 need not be secured together at this pointin the assembly of the carton.

At this stage of assembly, the carton can be flattened out, as shown inFIGURE 7, by collapsing the end walls along the lines of fold 40 and 46so that the panels 26 and 28 are engaged face to face but laterallydisplaced one relative to the other. Thus, the flattened carton can bestored and shipped conveniently to users thereof in this flattenedcondition illustrated in FIGURE 7.

To load the carton, the flattened, partially assembled blank is openedby spreading the walls 14 and 16 apart the fullest extent permitted bythe end wall structures. The book 11 can be inserted into the cartonthrough one of the open side walls thereof and the panels 26 and 28moved one toward the other to collapse the end walls of the carton tothe condition thereof shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The strips 32, 34 and50, 52 are recessed and normal to panels 26 and 28. With the book in theinterior of the carton, collapsing of the end walls will result in theportion formed by parallel folds 38, 48 engaging the book and centeringthe same in the carton.

Another manner of packaging the book in the carton is first to collapsethe same to the condition thereof shown in FIGURE 3 wherein one pair ofside flaps 54 and 56 has been secured together while the other pair ofside flaps is not secured together leaving one side wall of the cartonopen. The book can then be inserted into the carton through the openside wall thereof as shown in FIGURE 3. Thereafter, the carton can besealed by bringing the side flaps 54 and 56 together face-toface andsecuring them by suitable means.

FIGURE 8 is a modified form of the invention, the integral blank fromwhich this carton is formed is identified by the reference character24A. Portions of said modified blank equivalent to blank 24 will beidentified by like reference characters but including the aphabeticalcharacter A assigned to this form. In all respects this carton isassembled and operates in the same manner as carton 10.

The blank 24A in FIGURE 8 is comprised of end-toend connected panels 26Aand 28A each having side flaps 54A and 56A. The panels 26A and 28A areconnected by an end wall formation (not shown) identical to end wallformation 30 of blank 24. The panel 26A has an end flap 44A hingedlyconnected thereto along the fold line 46A and has two transverse scorelines 48A and 60 entirely across the same dividing the end flap intothree strips 50A, 52A and 62 instead of two strips as in blank 24.Strips 50A and 52A are identical and the strip 62 may be the same ornarrower or wider than strips 50A and 52A. The blank 24A is folded likethe blank 24 and strip 62 is adhesively secured to panel 28 as shown inFIGURE 9 and as indicated by adhesive 61. While strip 62 is shownoverlapping panel 28, it is also within the scope of this invention tolap panel 28 over strip 62 as shown in FIGURE 10. The blank shown inFIGURE 8 when assembled either in the form shown in FIGURE 9 or FIGURE10 may be flattened for storing and shipping like the carton blank shownin FIG- URE 7.

FIGURE 11 is another modified form of the invention, the integral blankfrom which this carton is formed being identified by the referencecharacter 24B. Portions of this modified blank equivalent to blank 24will be identified by like reference characters but including thealphabetical character B assigned to this form. In all respectsgenerally this carton is assembled and functions in a similar manner tocarton The blank 24B in FIGURE 11 is comprlsed of end-toend connectedpanels 26B and 28B each having side flaps 54B and 56B. The panels 26Band 28B are connected by an endwall formation 30B which is crossed by aseries of four parallel folds at 38B and is therefore comprised of fivestrips 32B, 34B, 36B, and 37 connected side by side. The strips 35 and37 and 32B and 36B are substantially identical in width, the strip 34Bbeing located centrally between the strips 32B and 36B and the said fivestrrps are connected to adjacent edges thereof along the fold llnes 38B.The strips 35 and 37 are hingedly connected to the panels 26B and 28Brespectively along the fold line 40B.

Panel 26B has an end flap 44B hingedly connected thereto along the foldline 46B and has four parallel transverse score lines at 48B entirelyacross the same dividing the end flap 44B into five strips 64, 50B, 52B,62B and 63. Strips 63 and 64, 50B and 62B are identical to each otherrespectively and are also identical to strips 35 and 37 and 36B and 32Brespectively. Strip 52B is identical in size to strip 34B and bothstrips are located centrally of the end wall formations 44B and 30Brespectively. The blank 24B is folded generally like the blank 24 and24A and strip 63 of the end flap 44B can then be adhesively securedtogether with the outer end B of panel 28B preferably by a paper orfabric tape 57B as shown in FIGURE 12 to become one of the end walls ofthe carton 10B. The end flap 44B in FIGURE 12 is shown folded over andsuperposed upon panel 26B. The end wall portion 30B comprising strips35, 32B, 34B, 36B and 37 becomes the opposite end wall of the carton andis identical in proportions to end wall formed by conjoined end wall18B. The flaps 54B and 56B need not be secured together at this point inthe assembly of the carton.

At this stage of assembly of carton 10B, the carton can be flattened asshown in FIGURE 12 by collapsing the end walls along the lines of fold40B and 46B so that the panels 26B and 28B are engaged face toface butlaterally displaced one relative to the other. Thus, the flattenedcarton can be stored and shipped conveniently to users in the flattenedcondition shown in FIGURE 12.

To load the carton 10B, the flattened, partially assembled blank isopened by spreading the walls 14B and 16B apart practically the fullestextent permitted by the end wall structures. The book 11B can beinserted into the carton through one of the open side walls thereof andthe .panels 263 and 28B moved toward the other to collapse the end wallsof carton to the condition thereof shown in FIG- URES 13, 14 and 15. Thestrips 35, 32B, 34B, 36B and 37 of end wall formation 30B and strips 63,62B, 52B, 50B and 64 of end wall formation 44B are recessed and normalto panels 26B and 28B. With the book 11B in the interior of the carton10B, collapsing of the end walls will result in the portion formed byparallel folds 38B and 48B engaging the book 11B and centering the samebetween central strips 52B and 34B as shown in FIGURE 15. Sucharrangement provides a resilient cushioning for the book so that thebook can withstand a great deal of shock without damage.

Another manner of packaging the book 11B in the carton is first tocollapse the same to the condition thereof shown in FIGURE 13 whereinone pair of side flaps 54B and 56B has been secured together while theother pair of side flaps is not secured together leaving one side wallof the carton open. The book 11B can then be inserted into the cartonthrough the open side wall thereof as shown in FIGURE 13. Thereafter,the carton can be readily sealed by bringing the side flaps 54B and 56Btogether face-toface and securing them by suitable means, such asadhesive.

FIGURE 17 is a modified form of the carton of FIG- URES 11 to 16,inclusive, the integral blank from which this carton is formed isidentified by the reference character 6 24C. Portions of said modifiedblank equivalent to blank 24B will be identified by like referencecharacters but including the alphabetical character C assigned to thisform. In all respects the carton is assembled and operates in the samemanner as carton 1013.

The blank 24C in FIGURE 17 is comprised of end-toend connected panels26C and 28C each having side flaps 54C and 56C. The panels 26C and 28Care connected to an end wall formation (not shown) identical to end wallformation 30C of blank 24B. The panel 26C has an end flap 44C hingedlyconnected thereto along the fold line 46C and has five transverse scorelines 48C entirely across the same dividing the end flap 44C into sixstrips 64C, 50C, 52C, 62C, 63C and 65. The blank 24C is folded like theblank 24B and the strip 65 is adhesively secured to panel 28C as shownin FIGURE 18 and as indicated by adhesive 61C as indicated by adhesive66. While strip 65 is shown overlapping panel 28C, it is also within thescope of this invention to lap panel 28C over strip 65 as shown inFIGURE 19. The blank shown in FIGURE 17 'When assembled either in theform shown in FIGURE 18 or FIGURE 19 may be flattened for storing andshipping like the carton of blank shown in FIGURE 11.

It is contemplated that various changes, modifications and variationsmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeor sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A shipping carton for a book or the like comprising (a) an open-endedsleeve formed of a pair of rectangular panels adopted to be spaced onefrom the other in parallel relation to accommodate such booktherebetween,

(b) said rectangular panels of said pair having first opposite edges andsecond opposite edges,

(0) a pair of rectangular and relatively flexible webs,

((1) each of said webs interconnecting the juxtaposed first edges ofsaid panels, respectively, to define said sleeve with said panels,

(e) said sleeve being formed by adhering a tape to the outer end of oneof said webs and one of said panels to provide one end wall of saidcarton,

(f) each Web having one fold parallel to said first opposite edge toprovide two web strips,

(g) each said web strips making a hinged connection with a juxtaposedone of said panel edges,

(h) the fold arranged to move inwardly as the panels are moved towardone another for collapsing said Webs forming an angular pleat andoutwardly protruding corners, and

(i) the second opposite panel edges having flap means adapted to closeoff the open ends of the sleeve and confine a book disposed in saidcarton.

2. A carton as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one web of saidpair is conjoined to one of the first edges of one of said rectangularpanels.

3. A carton as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one web of saidpair is integral with both rectangular panels of said pair.

4. A carton as set forth in claim 3 wherein the remaining web of saidpair is integral with at least one rectangular panel of said pair.

5. A carton as set forth in claim 1 wherein each web of said pair havingfirst opopsite edges substantially corresponding in length to thejuxtaposed first edges of said rectangular panels, the first oppositeedges of each web being hingedly connected with corresponding firstedges of said panels, whereby the fold of each of said webs is movablefreely in a direction parallel to the plane of said panels forcollapsing and expanding said webs in response to movements of saidpanels toward and away from one another, said flap means hingedlyassociated with each of the second opposite edges of said rectangularpanels for closing the corersponding ends of said sleeve and confiningthe book disposed therein.

6. A shipping carton for a book or the like comprising (a) an open-endedsleeve formed of a pair of rectangular panels adapted to be spaced onefrom the other in parallel relation to accommodate such booktherebetween,

(b) said rectangular panels of said pair having first opposite edges andsecond opposite edges,

(c) a pair of rectangular and relatively flexible webs,

(d) each of said webs interconnecting the juxtaposed first edges of saidpanels, respectively, to define said sleeve with said panels,

(e) one of said webs having one fold parallel to said first oppositeedge to provide two web strips,

(f) the other of said webs having two folds parallel to said firstopposite edge to provide three web strips, one of said strips being anouter strip,

(g) each said web strips making a hinged connection with a juxtaposedone of said panel edges,

(h) the fold of said web having two strips and the fold nearest therectangular panels of the web having three strips ararnged to moveinwardly as the panels are moved toward one another for collapsing saidwebs forming an angular V pleat and outwardly protruding corners,

(i) said outer strip of the web having three web strips adapted to beadhesively secured to one of said rectangular panels to form saidsleeve,

(j) the second opposite panel edges having flap means adapted to closeoff the open ends of the sleeve and confine a book disposed in saidcarton.

7. A carton as set forth in claim 6 wherein said outer strip of the webhaving three strips overlies the end of one of said panels and isadhesively secured thereto.

8. A carton as set forth in claim 6 wherein the end of one of saidpanels overlies said outer strip of the web having three strips and isadhesively secured thereto.

9. A shipping carton for a book or the like comprising (a) an open-endedsleeve formed of a pair of rectangular panels adapted to be spaced onefrom the other in parallel relation to accommodate such booktherebetween,

(b) said rectangular panels of said pair having first opposite edges andsecond opposite edges,

(c) a pair of rectangular and relatively flexible webs,

(d) each of said webs interconnecting the juxtaposed first edges of saidpanels, respectively, to define said sleeve with said panels,

(e) each web having four parallel folds to provide two outer web strips,two intermediate web strips and a median strip,

(f) the outer strip of each web making a hinged connection with ajuxtaposed one of said panel edges,

(g) all of said strips of each web being arranged to move inwardly asthe panels are moved toward one another for collapsing said webs, and

(h) the second opposite panel edges having flap means adapted to closeoff the open ends of the sleeve and confine a book disposed in saidcarton.

10. A carton as set forth in claim 9 wherein at least one web of saidpair is conjoined to one of the first edges of one of said rectangularpanels.

11. A carton as set forth in claim 9 wherein at least one web of saidpair is integral with both rectangular panels of said pair.

12. A carton as set forth in claim 11 wherein the remaining web of saidpair is integral with at least one rectangular panel of said pair.

13. A carton as set forth in claim 9 wherein each web of said pairhaving first opposite edges substantially corresponding in length to thejuxtaposed first edges of said rectangular panels, the first oppositeedges of each web being hingedly connected with corresponding firstedges of said panels whereby the fold of each of said webs is movablefreely in a direction parallel to the plane of said panels forcollapsing and expanding said webs in response to movements of saidpanels toward and away from one another, said flap means hingedlyassociated with each of the second. opposite edges of said rectangularpanels for closing the corresponding ends of said sleeve and confiningthe book disposed therein.

14. A shipping carton for a book or the like, comprising:

(a) an open-ended sleeve formed of a pair of rectangular panels adaptedto be spaced one from the other in parallel relation to accommodate suchbook therebetween,

(b) said rectangular panels of said pair having first opposite edges andsecond opposite edges,

(c) a pair of rectangular and relatively flexible webs,

((1) each of said webs interconnecting the juxtaposed first edges ofsaid panels, respectively, to define said sleeve with said panels,

(e) one of said webs having four folds parallel to said first oppositeedge to provide five web strips,

(f) said five web strips comprising two outer web strips,

two intermediate web strips and a median strip,

(g) the outer strip of each web making a hinged connection withajuxtaposed one of said panel edges,

(h) the other of said webs having five folds parallel to said firstopposite edge to provide six web strips,

(i) five of said web strips of each web being arranged to move inwardlyas the panels are moved toward one another for collapsing said webs,

(j) the outer strips of the web having six web strips adapted to beadhesively secured to one of said rectangular panels to form saidsleeve, and

(k) the second opposite panel edges having flap means adapted to closeoil the open ends of the sleeve and confine a book disposed in saidcarton.

15. A carton as set forth in claim 14 wherein said outer strip of theweb having six web strips overlies the end of one of said panels and isadhesively secured thereto.

16. A carton as set forth in claim 14 wherein the end of one of saidpanels overlies said outer strip of the web having six web strips and isadhesively secured thereto.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,055,574 9/1962 Johnson 229-403,411,691 11/1968 Whitaker et al.

DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 206-46

